yogi me this...
A yogi has a strong need for freedom in all layers, levels and dimensions of life, seeking to eliminate bondage and go beyond the known. In yoga we practice the art of surrender and we cultivate strength in divineknowing along the journey of self-realization. Yogis practice to embody the essence of Truth, beauty, joy, love and devotion to being a harmonious co-creator with the Universe, Source, God, the Divine.
As a yogi we develop our intuitive mind by re-aligning our body, mind, heart, spirit and soul - building a bridge for receiving our higher Self Divine wisdom to channel through us. It is a journey within, which creates space to once again receive praniclife force energy - charging our cells, activating dormant dna, expanding consciousness and connecting with our soul's calling and dharma. In order for anything new to enter our lives, we must create space for the energy 'of the new' to enter. This is why we detox so that we may enlighten our bodies and minds - a soul cannot find space in a toxic body / mind and retreats as the programmed ego cycles through repetitive thought patterns that unconsciously continues to live and create karma.
However, once we begin a spiritual path and detoxify the mind, transformation occurs spontaneously and life unfolds synchronistically. One can either exist in living the dharma, or their karma, but not both. So, by choosing the path of dharma ~ by learning and understanding that we all have dharma to live and fulfill, we grow spiritually and therefore, evolve.
In yoga, we unlearn more than we learn and realize that:
knowing is different that thinking,
wisdom is different than intellect,
and that power is different than force.
"The more advanced seeker has heard that there is no 'out there' or 'in here' and thus takes responsibility for all that happens. There is the dawning awareness that all which seems to occur really represents what is being held in what was previously considered as 'within'."
- david r. hawkins
Often when people think of a yogi, they think of someone twisted up ”like a pretzel”, nearly naked and living in a cave, but whilst stereotypes abound in all walks of life, a yogi is first and foremost a truth-seeker. Size, shape and colour do not matter for what is arguably the oldest spiritual practise in the world. How one chooses to express their journey is individual in nature, but at its root is the same journey of self-realization and oneness.
So, what really is a yogi and how can one define those who do not seek to be defined, boxed or labelled?
It is only by unravelling who we 'thought' we were that we discover what we are… in yoga we are taught the analogy of seeing ourselves like an onion. We peel away the layers until there is nothing left - only then will there be self-realization… and only then will there no longer be ”a self” to realize. Perhaps "then” there will be transcendence, but I wouldn’t yet know as I am too, still peeling…
However, I cannot deny that there is something transcendent in every yoga practise - an awareness of that which is beyond mind and body yet intrinsically woven into the fabric of every breath I am offered… for in truth, there is no ”then”… there is only now and even that is a concept and perhaps not a reality in the way “time” would have has believe…
"Great leaps in consciousness result from surrendering oneself to God at great depth."
David R. Hawkins
We journey along a path beyond the known and aim to be present in all we do. Devoted to divine love, we seek to let go of any judgement or attachment to how things “should be”, knowing that all is divine and in the hands of God / Divine Creator / Source.
Yoga is an ancient science and an art, thus, as a "yogi", one is both a scientist and an artist ~ free to explore the realms of the unknown and creatively inspire and co-create magick with one's life in the cosmic dance of evolution. Quantum physicists are only now revealing what yoga has known for the Ages of time... everything is connected and consciousness affects reality (Heisenberg Principle); therefore, what 'territory' of exploration could be more valuable that one's own consciousness?
Search the word yogi and any western-based website will tell you it means "a skilled / master practitioner of yoga"; however, look at the Sanskrit root of the word and you will unravel a much different story... Based on ancient, holy scripture, the term yogi may denote any of the following and more: the mystic, the devotee, the mystic transcendentalist, one who is in touch with Supreme Self, one who is engaged in devotion, the great sage, devotee of the Lord, a transcendentalist, and quite simply, a yogi is well, a yogi…
Yoga, after all, is simply not just that which we do on the mat for an hour a day. Yoga in its true essence is first a STATE ~ a being oneness with the all that is, Divine Union, Soul & Source, Atman is Brahman and Brahman is Atman..
Second, Yoga is a practice, but not just on the mat. Yoga is the practice of being in the STATE of union on and off the mat, during and beyond meditation; in other words, everything we do is and becomes the practice of yoga.. with practice.
And yoga is the EXPERIENCE of oneness, union, Divine Connection, Cosmic Consciousness, Self-realization. The experience which in many ways births out of the practice and brings us back to the state, which we may achieve at any point - even right NOW.
These three aspects of yoga aren’t linear but they do exist in some ways as a result of and as part of one another. Yoga is a state of being, a practice of being and the experience of being in unity with cosmic consciousness, God and our truest selves. We experience all these aspects and embody yoga by embracing our dharma and, as a result, we are seen as and may then find meaning in the ways of a yogi ~ the one on the pathless path leading within to Source.
When looking at the root of the word yoga, and its mandala of meanings, one starts to get a better idea of the meaning and purpose of the word and feels less 'boxed in' by the use of the word. However, perhaps the irony here too is that when one expands their understanding of what 'yoga' is, the western-based definition is not so boxy after all... practice yoga long enough and it becomes who you are, what you are, what you do and how you do it... ALL is YOGA and everything is connected and in our true, divine nature, we are ONE with ALL that is.. yoga is our natural state of being and therefore, to 'be a yogi' is simply an expression of our highest truth in physical form, thought and action. A daily practise, a way of life and an act of great LOVE for Life ~ a devoted soul on the spiritual path of cosmic, divine evolution.
Perhaps some 'labels' are divinely designed to indeed set us free... it all depends on 'where you sit' and how you choose to look at it.
Many blessings on your beautiful, divine journey.
namasté
